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Contestant Bios - Week 6 ( April 7th)

Here are the exciting results of our sixth preliminary audition at the Radisson on 04-07-05!

T-SHIRT ORDERS - DEADLINE MONDAY APRIL 11th AT NOON: Custom Twin Ports Idol T-shirts are printed with the NAMES OF ALL OUR TALENTED SEMI-FINALISTS. They will be highest-quality, 100% cotton, black T-Shirts with white lettering, and are sure to be collector's items. Don't miss out on ordering yours today. CONTESTANTS, FANS, FRIENDS, FAMILY ~ ORDER YOURS TODAY AND SAVE! Call (800) 248-7225 for more information and pricing. DEADLINE FOR FIRST PRINTING OF T-SHIRTS IS MONDAY 04-11 AT NOON.

BACKGROUND CDs: ALL SEMI-FINALISTS: WE CAN ASSIST YOU IN FINDING KAROKE CDs WITHOUT VOCALS AND EVEN RECORDING CUSTOMIZED BACKGROUND CDs IN THE PERFECT KEY FOR YOU FOR YOUR NEXT TWIN PORTS IDOL PERFORMANCE. CALL (800) 248-7225 FOR MORE INFORMATION & PRICES. IF YOU ARE UNABLE FOR ANY REASON TO LOCATE A BACKGROUND ACCOMPANIMENT THAT MEETS THE CONTEST REQUIREMENTS, FEEL FREE TO SING A CAPPELLA JUST LIKE YOUR FIRST AUDITION. CALL FOR MORE INFO.

FYI: CONTESTANTS CHOOSE THE NEXT TWO SONGS (FOR WHICH YOU PROVIDE THE BACKGROUND), AND THOSE WHO MAKE THE FINAL CUTS SING SONGS WE CHOOSE (FOR WHICH WE PROVIDE THE BACKGROUND AT NO CHARGE). SO FINALISTS AND OUR AWARD WINNERS WILL SING A TOTAL OF 4 SONGS THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE COMPETITION, AND CONTESTANTS ARE ONLY RESPONSIBLE TO PROVIDE ACCOMPANIMENT CDs FOR HALF (THE FIRST 2) OF THOSE 4 SONGS. IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CALL US TOLL-FREE AT (800) 248-7225.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: WE WILL POST THE SCHEDULE HERE, AND ALSO CONTACT YOU BY EMAIL DIRECTLY. FOR THOSE OF YOU WITHOUT AN EMAIL ADDRESS, PLEASE CALL US TOLL-FREE AT (800) 248-7225. THE SCHEDULE WILL BE POSTED ASAP, HOPEFULLY AS SOON AS SUNDAY (04-10-05). IF FOR ANY REASON YOU HAVE A CONFLICT ON APRIL 14, APRIL 21, OR APRIL 28, WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU RIGHT AWAY (BY SATURDAY, APRIL 9th). OTHERWISE WE ASSUME YOU HAVE ALL THOSE DATES OPEN, AND YOU WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO BE THERE AS SCHEDULED.

There are two different groups of Twin Ports Idol contestants shown below:

Semi-Finalists who are scheduled to compete at Grandma's on Thursday April 14 and/or Thursday April 21 and /or Thursday April 28 from 6 to 9 pm (contestants will be notified of specifics as they become available). We should know very soon who sings on which dates. We will let you know soon.
Contestants who did not make the cut this time, but due to their scores being so close to the cutoff, are encouraged to re-audition next season.

If you auditioned and do not see your picture here, and if you are confident you can give a better performance, you may also wish to re-audition next year.

APRIL 7 was our final audition date. The April 7 date has been added at the Radisson due to demand. Semi-Finals will now start April 14 at Grandma's Sports Garden in Duluth. See policies or email us for details.

AUDITIONS ARE NOW CLOSED. IF YOU MISSED OUT THIS YEAR, PLEASE AUDITION NEXT YEAR. TWIN PORTS IDOL IS AN ANNUAL EVENT AND IS A LIVING WATER MUSIC, INC. CRAIG LIABRAATEN PRODUCTION. THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR TWIN PORTS IDOL SITE.

Photo	Name / Bio
	Elyse Hannah Noble-Olson Semi-Finalist. Elyse is 15 years old from Superior, Wisconsin. She began performing in public in community theater at the age of 6, participating in many musicals since then. She has had two summers of voice lessons, and most recently earned the lead in both Cinderella and Dear Edwina. Quote from Elyse: "Music has been a major part of my life. Iwould be honored and thrilled to be given the privilege to be involved in Twin Ports Idol."
	Megan Polson Semi-Finalist. Megan is 12 years old from South Range, Wisconsin. She attends Superior Middle School and is active in student council, show choir, peer mediation, dance class, and softball. She has performed in eight school musicals. Quote from Megan: "My life is wonderful at this moment, but I would love to follow my dreams and do something with my singing and acting."
	Alexandra Kraemer Semi-Finalist. Alexandra is 15 years old from Moundsview, MN. She started singing from an early age, has appeared in school plays and choir concerts, and won first place in a local teen talent competition. She has performed the lead in "Cinderella". She plays piano and guitar and writes her own original songs. Quote from Alexandra: "My favorite music is classic rock, like Aerosmith, the Beatles, Elton John".
	Faydra Lyndie Lagro Semi-Finalist. Faydra is 13 years old from South Range, Wisconsin. She has sung the national anthem for Northern Classic Rodeo, performs voice recitals twice a year, and has participated in several musicals at school, most recently "Pom Pom Zombies" at Superior Middle School. Quote from Faydra: "My favorite music is country music."
	Sheena Rae Rowe Semi-Finalist. Sheena is 19 years old from Cloquet, MN. She has performed in choirs since 2nd grade. She was in choir at Cloquet High School for 4 years, where she also participated in singing contests. Sheena did not write a very lengthy biography. Quote from Sheena: "I enjoy singing 'I Saw The Light In Your Window Tonight.' "
	Jessica Marie Kirk Semi-Finalist. Jessica is 28 years old from Superior, Wisconsin. She grew up singing and comes from a musical family. She played cello under Mr. Eskola from 7th to 12th grade at Duluth Central, and she has sung in two bands. She has written bluesy rock songs, and also enjoys pop and alternative. Quote from Jessica: "I write my own lyrics and try to be diverse."
	Kevin Michael Simonsen Semi-Finalist. Kevin is 29 years old from Hermantown, MN. He started playing guitar at 19 and won 2nd place in a talent show at Hibbing Community College. Since moving back to Duluth, he has played several times at Sir Benedicts, The Brewhouse, Beaner's, Amazing Grace, and NorShor open mic nights. Quote from Kevin: "I've written some really great songs, and I'm a serious artist, musician and singer."
	Frank Befera Semi-Finalist. Frank is 39 years old from Duluth, MN. A Duluth native, he comes from a musical family and has performed for over 20 years, most currently in the band "Limited Edition." His favorite style of music is country, and he has owned several businesses. Quote from Frank: "I've been trained in piano, sax and voice by a number of instructors."
	Jamie Halverson Semi-Finalist. Jamie is 19 years old from Barnum, MN. A Barnum graduate, she has been singing since her mom put her in a 2nd grade talent show, including 4 years in the Barnum HS choir and at the Carlton County Fair. She has studied in Sweden, and is presently attending UMD in elementary education. Quote from Jamie: "My favorite music is country and Christian rock."
	Margaret Ackerson Semi-Finalist. Margaret is 14 years old from Sturgeon Lake, MN. She started piano lessons at age 5, singing lessons in third grade, and has continued with various teachers since then. She has sung the national anthem for school athletic events, and also performed for "Evening of Fine Arts", county fair contests, and with an Irish group called "The Buds of Brosna". Quote from Margaret: "My love for music has always been a huge part of my life, and it will always be a very special part of me."
	Krista Fleener Semi-Finalist. Krista is 12 years old from Duluth, MN. She is in the 6th grade and has played the flute for 2 years. Krista's favorite style of music is pop. Krista did not write a very long biography about herself. Quote from Krista: "I am 12 years old and I love music."
	Cassie Wenberg Semi-Finalist. Cassie is 11 years old from Hibbing, MN. She was born in Hibbing, and moved to the Philippines at one month old. Since then she has traveled to US, Canada, Hong Kong, and Thailand. She has modeled, sang and done commercials on television in the Philippines, and won beauty pageants. She currently takes singing lessons in Hibbing. Quote from Cassie: "I would love to win Twin Ports Idol to live my dream."
	Nicholas Carlson Semi-Finalist. Nicholas is 12 years old from Duluth, MN. He goes to Ordean Middle School, and his favorite styles of music are pop, rock, and country. Nicholas enjoys fishing, hunting, baseball and football. Quote from Nicholas: "I like to sing when I'm bored. I sing to show a lot of emotion of what I'm feeling."
	Michelle Carlson Semi-Finalist. Michelle is 43 years old from Duluth, MN. She was born in Duluth, has lived in FL, IA, NC, NY, and moved back to Duluth in 1986. A mother of 6, she had 6 months of voice lessons in 1997. She has sung lots of karaoke and at church a few times. Quote from Michelle: "I love life, and I love music."
	Jill Sykes Semi-Finalist. Jill is 25 years old from Cloquet, MN. A Duluth native, Esko High School and Lake Superior College graduate, Jill is currently a dental hygienist in Duluth. She likes a variety of music, and sang in a variety band for over three years. Quote from Jill: "The band gave me more confidence, commitment and fun than I ever had. Singing is something I will always be doing."
	Regina Hope Lieberg Semi-Finalist. Regina is 15 years old from Duluth, MN. Born in Brainerd, she moved to Duluth at the age of 1. Presently in 10th grade at Duluth East. She has studied voice, has performed in choirs and musicals from an early age, and is active in her church youth group. Quote from Regina: "Music has been, is, and always will be my passion in life."
	Eric Richard Peterson Semi-Finalist. Eric is 18 years old from Superior, Wisconsin. He is a native of Superior and has lived there all his life. He has been a percussionist for almost 9 years now, and has been a choir member for 2 years. Currently a member of choir, band, and orchestra at UWS, Eric is pursuing his Bachelor of Music degree there now. Quote from Eric: "My two favorite kinds of music are jazz and classical - it's so hard to choose between them."
	Traci Scott Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to try again next year. Kudos for re-auditioning. Very sincere performance, good emotion and singing from the heart, very pretty voice, great attitude, very courteous, good choice of dress, and you've got the look. However, your significant and repeated intonation issues and key changes, together with your memory slips, kept you from taking the next step. All these things are fixable with hard work and a good teacher.
	Rebecka Ruth Weiler Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to try again next year. Pretty voice, sparkly timbre, good emotional performance, very polite, and good choice of dress and appearance. Nice job of changing the melody to your style, and good diction. However, your intonation issues and lack of eye contact, stage presence, and poor microphone technique took away from your best presentation. All these things are fixable with care, practice, and a good teacher.
	Hannah Rey Dunda Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to try again next year. Beautiful voice, very sincere, very real, from the heart performance, good microphone technique, and better choice of dress than your first audition. However, your intonation issues, lack of eye contact, and lack of communication with your audience detracted from your best job. It is difficult to sing a worship song - which is directed to God - on a concert stage - which is directed toward the audience.
	Brianna McClain Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to try again next year. Powerful, expressive voice, warm sound, good country style, good choice of song for you, tremendous dynamics, and you've got the look. However, you have a serious issue with intonation, need more breath control, need better microphone technique, need to show your emotions in your body language, and connect better to your audience. All these things are fixable with care, practice, and a good teacher.
	Jodie Meunier Not a Semi-Finalist. Encouraged to try again next year. Nice, warm sound, good breath control, good sense of style and appearance, and usually good intonation. However, your high notes are out of tune, you are very nervous and jittery, there were memory issues, your stage presence suffered from a hand in the pocket the whole time, you have a nervous vibrato that is overdone, and you need more polish. All these things can be fixed with care, practice, and a good teacher.